A video from an anarchist-style movement calling for the shutdown of the Iowa caucuses is being taken seriously by both state and federal officials, Gov. Terry Branstad told reporters today.

“This has never happened before,” Branstad said. “We’ve never had this kind of threat made to our open process of giving people an opportunity to participate and we want to do all we can to protect people’s right to participate in this system.”

It goes on to request supporters help the movement occupy the campaign headquarters of presidential candidates in Iowa starting on Dec. 27th and peacefully shut down the Jan. 3 caucuses.

The video claims it is part of the group Anonymous, which has taken credit for hacking into military and corporate websites and releasing sensitive employee data.

Local and state security officials told The Register Sunday that they were aware of the video and are preparing for possible action from the group.

“I want to assure you that we take it very seriously and we will work with federal and state agencies and with local law enforcement,” Branstad said today. “I think everybody recognizes we need to be vigilant in this and take it seriously.”

Branstad said his administration first became aware of the threat over the weekend.

“I think it would be tragic if some shadowy group that won’t even announce who they are would be successful in preventing people from participating in this first real test in the presidential selection process,” Branstad said today.